We’re back after an intense week over at Kista, Stockholm where we exhibited SoG at Gamex, the Swedish gaming expo:

If you came by to play our game, thanks a lot! Your comments (and smiling faces) truly mean a lot to us and we had a blast watching you play! :)

It hasn’t been expo all the way this week though! Fred, who stayed at home to watch the cats, have been working on some enemies that will be seen in that old cave system we showed a couple of months ago:

Lastly, we have a question for you.

We’ve been at this weekly update stuff for quite some time now (99 weeks to be exact), and while the format certainly makes an interesting work diary for us, we’re not convinced it’s the best way to inform you guys about the game. It basically boils down to whether it’s better to keep giving you these tiny, bite sized updates, or if you’d rather have less frequent updates but with more substantial and focused posts.

Do you enjoy the glimpses of what we’re currently working on, even when all we can show is a few animations? Or would you rather wait one or a few weeks to have a more meaty post?

I, for one, really enjoy the weekly updates. It’s nice to see what you guys have been working on and what has recently been added to the game. It’s like seeing a weekly snapshot of the game as it grows over time.

Andrew wrote at 05/11/2013 01:33:

I enjoy the weekly updates, but it feels like the game isn’t ever going to be released ( not because of development, but the illusion of small weekly updates ) I can only hope that one day I’ll be able to see all of the content you’ve made in the full game soon enough!

If the weekly update is keeping you developers from focusing on the project at hand, then I say feel free to do these monthly. I can only imagine the workload you guys are faced with but with the goal in mind to make a game that you guys are to be happy with is a huge challenge. I can’t wait to play the game, but I will wait for as long as it take for you guys to finish it when you folks feel it’s finished

Sean wrote at 05/11/2013 02:46:

I am a huge fan of all the updates. I’m not in the beta but like to come check in and see what you are up to. Hope to get a chance to test it out soon. But, like Kiyakou said, if you feel you’re spending too much time doing it, I’m sure bi-weekly or monthly would be fine for your fans.

Martin wrote at 05/11/2013 02:48:

Please keep making weekly updates, I really love pixel art and it’s really nice to see your work every week.

Joe wrote at 05/11/2013 04:05:

I enjoy the weekly updates :) even if it’s to say “Hey were still alive :)”
It keeps this game in the back on my mind at all times ;)

Yangna wrote at 05/11/2013 04:43:

Monthly seems like a way to deliver meatier, sexier updates efficiently. It also helps the project by making each update *news worthy*.

Also, I feel that keeping in touch with your fans out there is immensely important, more than on a monthly basis. It does help us keeping that connection to the game, and should drive quality feedback to help you guys make the best decisions as a small team.

So monthly is great for me as long as there’s an ongoing presence from the team. Forums typically fills the gap between updates, allowing everyone to talk with each other, with the devs coming in and out to keep the discussion going.

However at this point maybe something lighter would be more appropriate, to avoid the empty forums / nothing relevant to discuss / time-consuming to moderate effect. Maybe some small Facebook activity linked to the dev blog, with some teasers, polls and invitations to live streams would do the trick?

Still loving your work, regards,

Yangna

Kainminter wrote at 05/11/2013 05:31:

Even if its one sprite or one feature, I look forward to the update every week. Can’t wait till the game goes on sale, its looking simply amazing.

cjmatt wrote at 05/11/2013 05:32:

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I love reading your weekly updates. Sprites especially. It’s great to see the amount of style and attitude that you pour into some of the animations.

That being said, I can totally get how it’d be a pain to “sanitize” what you’ve been doing during the week into an update. I’m sure a lot of the time, the work you’ve been doing doesn’t make an immediately visually attractive or interesting-sounding update, so you have to do some scrounging around to make it work. If you moved to monthly-or-so updated, I’d definitely keep reading.

Keep up the good work, guys!

BloodyShade wrote at 05/11/2013 06:34:

I agree with the majority here, personally I keep checking the site daily (yeah, I know…)
I’ve noticed that more so than with other projects, you guys really read our comments and take them seriously (which me and I’m sure everybody else is really thankful for), so weekly updates also makes it easier for you guys to get feedback on more specific things (as you could probably feel on that HD portraits post).
Though I also agree with Kiyakou in that I wouldn’t want it to be hindering you guys.

All in all, if you can keep it weekly, I’d rather have it continue this way, but if you guys are getting burned out, then it’s better to take a break and do less regular updates.

It boils down to you I guess. Doing these tiny updates takes some time, and in the end might become cumbersome.

I’ll still receive and read updates as I’m using the RSS feed of the blog as an information resource.

Keep up the good work ;)

claudekennilol wrote at 05/11/2013 15:19:

If not a hindrance, keep it weekly. It’s how I start off my week (well, how I start off my Tuesdays since that’s when I get the update). I haven’t been along for the full ride, but maybe only 7 months or so, but I really enjoy keeping up with how a game I’m waiting on is progressing.

I’ve been watching Stardew Valley and he does updates about once a month (well recently, but not consistently), and it’s disheartening to barely see new updates. Or go the way of Cubeworld and not tell us anything even though we know it’s being worked on (well, at least the people who aren’t jerks know).

Serva wrote at 05/11/2013 16:02:

Coming to this website and checking the updates every week has become part of my routine. I enjoy it.

I find that it’s not the amount of content you give us in these updates, just the fact that you’re here to give us the update. I’m one of many waiting on the MMO Blade and Soul from NCSoft. The last update they released was December 5th, 2012. Beyond that, complete silence. It drives me and many others insane, not knowing if it’s being worked on, running smoothly, or if it was cancelled.

Whether it’s monthly or weekly, as long as you’re keeping the fans updated, at least letting us know that things are progressing smoothly, then you’re doing a fantastic job.

~Serva.

Sogomn wrote at 05/11/2013 16:41:

Iieeh. I hate maggots. But the shroom looks so cute!
Well, I like these posts really much but If you dont want to write a post every week you can write one like every month or something. What matters to me is that I can see the process of developing. I think it’s your decision how often you post something.

Sogomn

Qortzkt wrote at 05/11/2013 17:08:

I personally like the weekly updates. And the best thing, I think it keeps you guys (and girl) busy since you present new content every week. Who knows, maybe you would start being lazy if you weren’t forced to release the updates. Not that you are actually forced to do so, but… you got the point?
Anyway, cats? Show us some pictures! :D

I like that it is one ”update” every week :) It would’ve been kinda sad if you waited some weeks :/ So don’t change anything ^_^

Truemas wrote at 05/11/2013 19:56:

I also like the weekly updates , but dont feel forced. Do what suits your work- ( and relax- ) flow best. ;)

Rodney Hahoo wrote at 05/11/2013 20:24:

I think the weekly updates are a necessity. Since there is no release date in sight, it keeps people interested in the game.

You’ll likely lose a lot of that interest if the updates are too few and far between.

Brian Schmidt wrote at 05/11/2013 22:46:

I agree with almost everyone here, that having a weekly update is a great way to keep those of us who follow Pixel Ferrets regularly, up to date. I look forward to getting off work every Monday and knowing I will have a new update from you all (very unhappy those days where late posts happened, but non the less they were still posted!).

It might be a good idea to for those who aren’t following as closely or who may be first discovering this work of art, a monthly recap of what has transpired during the past month or even every 2-3 months. Just something to quickly get people up to speed on the current state of affairs.

NoxiDream wrote at 06/11/2013 01:42:

I’m really excited about this game, the weekly updates is really good for me i’m checking this website every day and seeing news on it makes me feel like the game is slowly becoming what it will be at the end (about that, makes it come out only when it’s finished : people are getting tired of shity beta and alpha)
Thanks for making that game, it is going to be awesome :D

Eric wrote at 06/11/2013 17:55:

I for one think weekly updates keep me interested in this game when getting these little glimpses.
And maybe if u wait for some weeks and come with some huge u may tell to much of the game. Now its only information about animations and stuff. I think its enough because i want to have lots of stuff to explore.
Greets Eric

Antar wrote at 06/11/2013 21:28:

Weekly updates are great. I am greatly fascinated by the sprites you guys make and the animations.

Osmedirez wrote at 06/11/2013 23:38:

I personally enjoy the weekly updates, it’s one of the small things I look forward to each week. Having said that, I would probably enjoy a monthly big update as well.

For me, it comes down to what is best for you guys as the developers. Would it be less painful to have a bi-weekly/monthly big update? I don’t know. You tell us! ^_^

Ruru wrote at 07/11/2013 11:12:

Weekly updates please! keep up the good work! (O 3 O)

Bellumdues wrote at 08/11/2013 06:54:

Thanks for asking us, the fans, our opinions on things like this. It gives a sense of ownership to everyone!

To answer your question, I’d like to say that like MANY people here, I’m one of those people who are following 3-4 games in development. If you moved to monthly, I feel I might find myself disconnecting (not intentionally!) just realizing one day several months later that I haven’t checked in a looong time, while I’m sure i’d never forget you guys, I think monthly would cause community activity to trickle to a stop. Can I suggest a middle ground? A bi-weekly update is enough to be commonly remembered to check on and not too spaced out to cause disinterest. A great many of us (YOU KNOW U DO!) have other games to check on in the meantime. :D

Thanks devs for asking and reading all these heartfelt long tedius posts hehe.

~Bellumdues

Kit wrote at 08/11/2013 10:01:

Bit by lovely weekly bit :3

<3 <3 <3

Empathy wrote at 09/11/2013 13:32:

I, really like to see the weekly updates and how you guys keep workin hard on this game. But we nearly reached the 100# weekcap. Its time to play! :)

Rich wrote at 09/11/2013 18:57:

Love the weekly updates! Much better than waiting week after agonizing week for something to see :)

Barduck wrote at 10/11/2013 00:13:

Only one thing to say: I very enjoy the weekly updates.

cfassano wrote at 11/11/2013 19:27:

I enjoy the weekly updates. Very interesting to have a glimpse at the development process and its cool to see the new animations and characters.

Joseph wrote at 14/11/2013 20:05:

I love the weekly updates because it really shows your determination on working to finish this game. If you started going silent for increasing amounts of time, then it’d just be like how the AAA companies give you a trailer but wait 3 years to release the game.